New funding to add 200 seats in construction training programs

New funding will add 200 news seats to pre-apprenticeship skills training programs in construction-related trades.

The Government of Saskatchewan announced the $2.5-million investment Wednesday, which will support trades including plumbing, electrical, carpentry, welding, heavy equipment operation and more. The programs are delivered through regional colleges, Dumont Technical Institute and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, the government noted.

Vicky Roy, president and CEO of Southeast College, said more workers are needed to support the province’s current construction boom.

“Investments to boost the number of training seats for skilled trades are crucial in Saskatchewan, particularly for Southeast College, given the significant number of infrastructure projects underway in the southeast region,” Roy said in a statement.

“By ensuring a skilled and flexible trades workforce, Southeast College will support Saskatchewan’s booming construction industry and facilitate the province’s economic growth.”

According to the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, Saskatchewan is currently producing a “sufficient supply” of new workers to support the ongoing replacement of workers in the construction industry, but a large number of infrastructure projects have driven up the demand for new workers in the construction trades.

Jeremy Harrison, minister of immigration and career training, said even more workers will be needed in the future.

“As Saskatchewan continues to grow economically with record investments, population increases, and job gains, we need to ensure the province has the skilled and flexible trades workforce available to facilitate this growth,” Harrison said in a statement.

“This targeted seat increase will ensure more learners have the opportunity to train and develop the technical skills required to support Saskatchewan’s booming construction industry.”